Objective: To verify the function of magnetic and hydrodynamic suspension centrifugal ventricular assist device in a sheep model.
Methods: The device was implanted into left ventricular apex on beating hearts. The outflow graft of each device was anastomosed to descending aorta in 11 animals. Hematologic, biochemical and blood clotting tests before and after surgery were performed. The data of pump functions were collected continuously.
Results: Among them, there were death from ventricular fibrillation (n = 3), acute pulmonary edema (n = 1) and left ventricular thrombus and molar cardiac muscle (n = 5). One animal survived for 75 days and died from bacterial infection after pumping for 59 hours. During assistance for 120 days, the flow rate was 3.0-3.4 L/min. All hematologic and biochemical parameters were within normal ranges in one sheep. The walking sheep wore the controller and lithium battery with a blood pump. Neither mechanical wearing nor thrombus formation was observed for inflow and outflow conduits or pump interior.
Conclusions: The magnetic and hydrodynamic suspension centrifugal ventricular assist device demonstrates excellent hemocompatibility and reliability. And there is a great prospect of clinical success.